A global study of 127 nations in 2006 found that happiness strongly correlates with the quality of governance, especially technical quality (r = +0.75), more so than democratic quality (r = +0.60). Technical quality predicts happiness across both rich and poor countries, while democratic quality only matters in wealthier nations. Governance quality matters more for happiness than government size, and the link between technical quality and happiness holds across cultures—indicating it’s a universal factor. Once technical governance reaches a baseline, democratic quality further boosts happiness.

Reference

• Ott, Jan. (2010). Good Governance and Happiness in Nations: Technical Quality Precedes Democracy and Quality Beats Size. Journal of Happiness Studies. 11. 353-368. 10.1007/s10902-009-9144-7.

Keywords & Nodes

• policy
• society
• culture
• government
• Happiness can create a better world.
• Our socioeconomic system is not sustainable which may impact happiness.
• 8. The World Out There